Negative ANA?

[Kessa]

Hello everyone!

I did a blood test at my gp surgery but ANA turned out negative. Would you exclude completely autoimmune disease at this point or would you keep looking for answers?

The blood test was Just ANA ( haven' t done reumatoid factors or any others pecific blood test..).

Apart from Raynaud and digestives problems (GERD) I' m having problems passing urine, feeling bloated and constipation, costant dry throat even after drinking, cracked lips, extremely cracked hands to the point of cutting and bleeding, recurrent episodes of allergies or skin sensitivity, trouble swallowing and stiff neck, changes in appetite and eating ( costant snacking or hunger or almost non existent appetite).. I m 30 but i feel like I m twenty years older..I go out with some friends and after a while I m tired or I have to sit down (having to constantly recharge by drinking sugary drinks or snacking)..I love sports but I feel to tired to do any)..I love going out but I feel easily out of energy..

I ve been checked for anemia, mononucleosis, viruses, infections after having a rash on my body but I was told " everything' s perfect".

I' m not sure if I am worring too much and It could be Just stress or would out ask for more blood tests? Thank you

[gindy]

It goes like this +ANA means you've definitely got SSc but -ANA can mean you've got SSc it's just not showing in your bloods.

It also depends on how the test was carried out as to whether it's accurate. I can't remember off the top of my head which one is which but hopefully somebody who can will pop along soon.

Ask to see a rheumatologist asap.

[Kessa in reply to gindy]

Thank you Gindy I m not sure how It was carried out but I think going to a rheumatologist is much better than going to the gp surgery..I don't know if they are going to refer me tough..maybe i can try to refer myself if symptoms get worse

[Hidden]

Hi Kessa

My first blood test was + ANA, a second one done at another hospital a few weeks later was - ANA, when I queried this at my local hospital they have done it again and shows - ANA as well. I'm still waiting for an explanation but it seems this can happen, so I wouldn't rule out an autoimmune disease yet.

A rheumatologist would be the best person to help. Hope you get some answers soon.

[Kessa in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Mandy for replying :)I heard that results could change but i thought you had to have at least the 1st one positive to suspect a disease. I think i will go for another check if I continue to have the same symptoms over and over again..

[AField]

Hi Kessa, I have all of the symptoms you've described plus some. I first saw a rheumatologist in January '17, when I was diagnosed with Raynauds. My ANA blood tests were negative yet over the past year symptoms are interchangeable. I've thought that I have lupus, fibromyalgia - done lots of symptom research as I really believe my body is attacking itself (at least that's how it feels to me). The symptoms come in waves but the tiredness is always there to some degree. I'm 41 so a good few years on you. Last week, I received a diagnosis of Lichen Sclerosus after 18 months of being treated for candida and using fucidin cream which did nothing. This happened by chance as I saw a "student" doctor! My doctor told me my symptoms were stress related (health anxiety he called it - hypochondria!). I'm sure there's an element of truth as I'm so fed up with all these symptoms affecting my quality of life and relationships. Believe in yourself!! Xx

[Kessa in reply to AField]

Dear Afield,

Unfortunately I understand very well, some of the doctors i saw they would Just say it's all stress related or you are An hypocondriac. This is a common attitude among doctors and sometimes i get angry they don't seem bothered to do investigate a bit more.

So, being prone to stress I know It could be that, but there are still many symptoms i' ve had for a long time which i can't explain and I m not convinced it's just anxiety..I m happy you found some answers! You definitely deserved It after all what you went through! I hope things will keep improving for you and that is the right diagnosis so you can keep being treated properly

Thank you for your support xx

[charlieab]

Hi

Sorry that you have had such a tough time. The most reliable ANA test is by IFA. If you had this test and were negative then there is a much reduced likelihood of you have having sclerorderma compared to if you had a positive test. Only around 8% of folk with sclerorderma have a negative ANA. Also if your ANA was negative by IFA then I think the specific scleroderma antibody tests (like for scl 70) should also be negative, as the ANA would have picked up on these antibodies. But check Im right about this.

The best way to rule out (as far as possible) scleroderma might be to have a capillarscopy which uses high powered microscope to see whether you have any abnormal nail fold capilaries (which would be an early sign of scleroderma).

At the relatively young age of 30, its not impossible that your raynaud's is primary i.e. its not a symptom of an underlying autoimmune disorder.

Hope this helps and good luck.

[Kessa in reply to charlieab]

Hi Charlieab,

Thank you for all the information, I didn't know about the IFA test..I don't know which one they have done so i m not sure whether It was reliable or not..

Can IFA and the capillarscopy be done for other diseases as well or just for scleroderma?

Do you know if I can refer myself to a rheumatologist or the only way is through my gp?

Yes, i know what u mean i always thought it's just primary ( and i really hope so!) but because of the tiredness and the rash i thought i might do some more checks since pharmacy medication it's not really helping..

Thank you again!